Police investigate sacrilegious robbery in Ecuador

Quito, Ecuador, Jul 12, 2007 / 11:15 am (CNA).- Police officials in Ecuador are investigating the theft of colonial works of art that were stolen from the Church of St. Mark in the historic central district of the capital.

Speaking to reporters, Father Enrique Jimenez said that the works stolen included an oil painting of Our Lady of Carmel and another of Our Lady of Mercy, two statues of angels, a wooden statue of a bull as well as some other pieces.

Several churches in Ecuador have been burglarized in recent months, as the stolen artwork is used to support contraband networks.